As FRIENDS OF THE FREEDOM PUBLIC LIBRARY, we are dedicated to preserving and strengthening the resources, services and facilities that the library gives freely to our community. The library brings enjoyment to our lives and helps us endow our children with an understanding of our heritage and culture. In gratitude and with dedication to sharing these same gifts and new ones with our community, we have become friends who support the work of the Freedom Public Library.

The Freedom Public Library exists today because residents of the State Road 200 corridor and surrounding communities desired a local, full-service library. When local businessman and real estate developer John Rudnianyn became aware of this, he generously donated a three-acre parcel of land, which is now the site of the library.
   The Friends of Freedom Public Library were formed in May 2000. According to William R. Haussmann, the group’s founder and first president, the original group of eight began meeting in a garage to plan for the library’s opening.
   By the time the library opened its doors in the fall of 2000, the Friends’ membership had grown to 23. The first Friends book sale took place at the library lobby in December 2000. Just days later, the Friends were officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity.
   The Friends held their first annual meeting in January 2001. Since then, all annual meetings have been held on a Saturday in January and have taken place in the Freedom Public Library’s meeting room.
   The Friends have a long history of providing supplemental financial support to the Freedom Public Library, with the majority of funding coming from the sale of donated used books from the community.

As a cornerstone of the community, the Freedom Public Library offers a safe space where individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities come together to explore, learn, and create.
   The Friends play a vital role as a dedicated partner, raising essential supplemental funds to meet the evolving needs of the library. With the ongoing expansion set to increase the library’s size to an impressive 32,000 square feet, there is an urgent need for expanded programs, services, and resources.
   Additionally, the growing population in southwest Marion County will place further demand on existing services, highlighting the need for increased financial support.
   As we embark on this exciting expansion, we have identified four key areas (shown below) where additional funding will greatly enhance our offerings beyond the costs of expansion.

The Friends organization is 100% volunteer-based, there are no employees. Consequently, our members are vital to our success. They contribute their time, skills, and passion to support our mission and enhance the services the library provides to its patrons. The Freedom Public Library not only serves as a repository of knowledge but also as a safe space where people can come together. By becoming a Friend of the Freedom Public Library, we acknowledge the library’s essential role as a cornerstone in our community.